Pitch boost likely within two seasons

DOMESTIC cricket is set for a major boost with the prospect of two new grass squares being made available within two seasons. Although unable to give details of the sites in question, the Channel Island Cricket Board's David Piesing said that additional, much-needed facilities were around the corner.

'Guernsey cricket has been given every indication that two new grass-wicket facilities will be on stream for, the latest, the 2006 season, but hopefully for all or part of the 2005 campaign,' said Piesing.

As one of a handful of men driving local cricket in various directions, including the likelihood of full membership of the International Cricket Council, Piesing said the news was 'exciting' and not before time.

'We needed it 10 years ago. With these plans, I think it should meet all our needs for the next 10 to 15 years.'

For some years, Guernsey have been struggling to develop the game with the use of only one fully available square at the King George V Field, the partial use of the College Field wickets and sub-standard, damp Memorial Field tracks.

By 2006, players can expect two strips to be available each Saturday during school term-time and four on a Sunday. During the school holidays, as many as eight grass wickets could be utilised each weekend.

At present, only three grass pitches are available for use in the first half of the season, four after the end of the College term.

The benefits to the local game include Guernsey being able to host or co-host festivals with Jersey and having sufficient pitches to allow a proposed Channel Islands League to flourish with the Sarnians not being disadvantaged by needing to travel more often than their Caesarean counterparts.

'Real emphasis can now be put on the weekend game,' said Piesing.